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Riverboat tours: American Queen Steamboat Company's American Empress

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The American Queen Steamboat Company in 2014 revived the 223-passenger American Empress on the Pacific Northwest's Columbia River. What's the vessel like? USA TODAY's Gene Sloan offers a photo tour.
William James Photography

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Formerly known as the Empress of the North, the American Empress had been in mothballs since the 2008 collapse of its previous owner, the Majestic America Line. It operates seven-night voyages on the Columbia and Snake rivers between Portland, Ore. and Clarkston, Wash.
William James Photography

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Featuring a traditional steamboat exterior and a giant red paddle wheel, the American Empress originally debuted in 2003. It was -- and still is -- the largest paddle wheeler offering overnight trips West of the Mississippi.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

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The American Queen Steamboat Company has made some major changes to the American Empress' decor. Here, the vessel's iconic Paddlewheel Lounge, which like most public spaces was refurbished.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

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Located at the back of the ship, the Paddlewheel Lounge offers views of the ship's giant red paddle wheel.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

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The Paddlewheel Lounge is home to live piano music nightly.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

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The Paddlewheel Lounge also houses a small library area.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

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Another major public space on the American Empress is its Show Lounge, which is home to live musical entertainment in the evenings. It's also used for wine tastings and other events during the day.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

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The Show Lounge has its own bar open nightly.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

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The Show Lounge has a small stage for performances as well as a small dance floor.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

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Not far from the Show Lounge on the American Empress' lowest-level passenger deck is the Astoria Dining Room, which is open daily for full-service breakfast, lunch and dinners.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

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The American Queen Steamboat Company gutted and rebuilt the Astoria Dining Room, which previously had a Russian Tsar-era theme with heavy red fabrics and wall coverings.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

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A small gift shop is located next to the Purser's Office.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

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A grand exterior staircase connects the American Empress' decks at the front of the vessel.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

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White rocking chairs line an observation area at the front of the American Empress on Deck 3.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

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Among the biggest of American Empress' 112 cabins are six "Suites with Veranda" rooms on the Vista View Deck -- the highest of four passenger decks.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

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The American Empress' cabins have received a major overhaul including the installation of new wallpaper, carpeting (in 88 out 112 rooms), bedding and soft goods such as towels. Additional lighting also was added.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

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Suites on the American Empress feature large Victorian-style dressers for storage.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

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A notable addition to cabins during the renovation of the American Empress was Keurig coffee machines.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

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American Empress suites also feature large wardrobes for storage.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

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The interior of wardrobes in American Empress suites have room for hanging clothes and, on another side (not shown), a safe.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

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Televisions in American Empress cabins are built into wall units.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

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One of the more unusual displays on the American Empress are Faberge eggs that were amassed when the ship was owned by Majestic America Line.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

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Motor coaches dedicated to the American Queen meet the vessel in port towns to take passengers on free 'hop-on-hop-off' tours.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

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The American Empress' paddle wheel provides thrust for the vessel in addition to underwater Z drives that can rotate 360 degrees during maneuvering.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

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The American Empress' two large smokestacks can be lowered when the vessel goes under bridges.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

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The front of the American Empress features a moveable walkway for landings at destinations that don't have docks.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

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The American Empress' pilothouse.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

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American Empress passengers can take a tour to see the vessel's pilothouse.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

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The American Empress carries bicycles for use by passengers during port stops.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

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A highlight of a sailing on the American Empress is passage through the Columbia River Gorge.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

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The American Empress docked in Stevenson, Wash.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

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The American Empress has two elevators that connect its four passenger decks.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

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Small sitting areas near the elevators on several decks of the American Empress offer a place for conversation or reading.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

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Four computers with Internet access are available for passengers use in a corner of the Paddlewheel Lounge.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

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Normally off limits to passengers, the American Empress' engine room contains engines named after entertainer Dolly Parton and Claudette Waggoner, the wife of American Queen Steamboat Company chairman John Waggoner.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

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An electrical panel within the engine control room of the American Empress. The area normally is off limits to passengers.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

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The American Empress has four interior passenger decks with 112 cabins, two lounges, a dining room and a grill.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

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Passengers can mail letters from the American Empress via a mailbox near the Purser's Office.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

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The American Queen Steamboat Company this week is relaunching the 223-passenger American Empress -- the largest paddle wheeler on the Pacific Northwest's Columbia River. What's the vessel like? USA TODAY's Gene Sloan offers a photo tour.
Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

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Claudette Waggoner, wife of American Queen Steamboat Company chairman John Waggoner, smashes a bottle of sparkling wine against the American Empress during a christening ceremony for the vessel on April 5, 2014.
William James Photography

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American Empress godmother Claudette Waggoner receiving congratulations moments after christening the vessel on April 5, 2014.
William James Photography

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American Queen Steamboat Company chairman John Waggoner and wife Claudette at the christening ceremony for the American Empress.
William James Photography

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Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood speaks at the christening of the American Empress.
William James Photography

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American Queen Steamboat Company chairman John Waggoner with former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood before the christening of the American Empress.
William James Photography

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The American Empress stern lists Camas, Wash., as its home port.
American Queen Steamboat Company

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The American Empress has a traditional white-on-white steamboat decor.
American Queen Steamboat Company

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The American Empress as the sun sets over the Columbia River.
American Queen Steamboat Company